Imagine taking an American vacation in a place that makes you feel you are on a European beach. Well, the Hotel Delano does exactly that. From the first moment you walk through its doors, you feel as though you are walking out of normal American civilization and into a grand European hotel.

Offering it’s guests a location that is beyond beautiful, a sushi house with the best rolls in the city, and the most chic and luxurious surroundings of any hotel on South Beach- The Delano has it all. Not recommended for those on a budget, but if you have the capacity, you should put this hotel at the top of your list.

When you first walk through the lavish entryway you immediately see a long hallway with remarkably high ceilings and columns. These white columns go from the floor all the way up, with long draping white fabric in between them. To your right is a lavish sitting area with a beautiful custom made couch accented with some scattered mismatched chairs. To your left is the front desk, where you are greeted by a friendly staff and a concierge that will do anything you ask, including making your reservations at the best places in Miami.

Walking down the hallway, to your right you will notice a quaint restaurant with the capacity to hold no more than 30 people at a time called Blue Sea. Here you will find an assortment of sushi that you can not find anywhere in the US. It is recommended to get there as soon as they open at 7pm, because within an hour they have a waiting list several hours long.

As you continue down the hallway you will see a vast array of different sitting areas, from a gold chair that looks like the arm of a woman, to couches and benches; all of which will be filled with hundreds of people come nighttime.

When you finally reach the end of the hallway you come to the large restaurant in the hotel, called Blue Room. They are open early and have great breakfast options. Dinner reservations fill up fast here, and once you do get a table, you should be prepared to wait. No one is in a hurry at this restaurant- but the food is descent, and if you can snag a table on the terrace then you will have a view to die for.

Continue past the restaurant, down the stone steps and you finally reach the best part of this hotel: the pool area. To get there you first walk through a garden equipped with a large hammock, couches, and chess boards. There are also some interesting props around, like a very large mirror, and a ladder leaned against a small tree.

The infinity pool is surrounded with white pool chairs, umbrellas, and about 7 cabanas. In the cabanas you have your own flat screen TVs, a fan to cool off after sitting in the sun for hours and electrical outlets if you want to bring your laptop to surf the internet. The guests here are mostly European so don’t be surprised when you see women sunbathing topless!

Finally, if you continue walking out the security guarded gates you find yourself in the private beach whose white umbrellas and chairs match the ambiance of the pool. Top it off with a beautiful view of the ocean, and crystal blue water that is just begging you to take a dip.

With the beautiful surroundings and great location, The Delano is the perfect place for a getaway that makes you feel thousands of miles away. Right in the heart of Miami, with Ocean Drive just around the corner, you are in a prime location to go out on the town. My suggestion- save on airfare and spend the extra money to stay at The Delano in South Beach. The perfect place to get away from it all!